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The Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag – an overview

Starting last year, manufacturers have begun to produce the checkpoint friendly laptop bag which reduces hassle for a large number of travelers in airports. This article tries to describe what these bags are and what makes them checkpoint friendly.

Airport Screening Delays

Air travel has been a commodity experience for quite some time now. However, airport restrictions and procedures relating to screening have only become stricter over time. From removing shoes to being unable to carry liquids and creams. Frequent business travelers tire of this and seek the most efficient way to get through these procedures to save time.

Laptops and Screening

Current regulations for those carrying laptops require that they be removed from their cases and laid onto the scanner’s conveyor belt. This is done to ensure that a clear view of the laptop is obtained without obstruction. While this procedure makes sense, it’s an increased burden for passengers who sometimes have to dig through their luggage, retrieve their laptop, and finally store it away again. Saying that this is inconvenient is an understatement.

Enter the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

In 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approached the manufacturers of laptop bags and asked them to design bags that meet certain criteria which would allow passengers to leave the laptop within their bag without compromising the security scanner. The five criteria included specifications such as no zippers inside or outside the bag and no pockets either. Manufacturers responded fairly enthusiastically to the idea and created the checkpoint friendly bags according to the specifications.

Laptop bag styles

The primary feature of checkpoint friendly laptop bags is that they must have a section within them that is dedicated for the laptop only. In addition, the bag must be constructed such that it enables that particular section to be exposed and laid flat on the conveyor belt, thus giving an unobstructed view of the laptop.

The other main feature is that there must be nothing between the laptop section and the scanner – no pockets, zips, or any other item other than the laptop. There are three primary styles of laptop bags. They are:

1. The Butterfly Style
2. The Trifold Style
3. The Sleeve Style

The three styles are show below:

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Summary

With the advent of checkpoint friendly laptop bags, passengers don’t need to inconvenience themselves anymore by fumbling in their cases. These bags are a welcome addition to the range of laptop bag choices available on the market.